International Trade committee  Well, it's an interesting and well-timed question, because we actually had a session on that at the last meeting of our members in January to raise this issue. I think that is the next big policy question when it comes to how we can improve Canada's competitiveness in the long te

International Trade committee  I take it you're talking now about the broader European potential here. I think any country or group of countries going into a trade negotiation is looking to come up with a deal that is to their advantage. The whole point of doing trade agreements is that we all gain somewhere.

International Trade committee  We need to do it now because I think we're on the eve of launching something very important with the 27 countries of the European Union, and that's something that is going to matter a great deal to a great number of Canadian workers and to a great number of Canadian enterprises.

International Trade committee  It is important for Canada to do this now.

International Trade committee  Perhaps I can just put it in terms of how we deal with the current economic downturn. One of the most important elements of recovery is restoring confidence. I think to restore confidence you have to give people hope that there is a better future, that we can grow, and that we

International Trade committee  I have just a quick one. I would suggest that there is more to creating a level playing field than simply preserving the status quo. What we need to be looking at is how to help Canadian companies, whether in shipbuilding or in other industries, be more competitive in terms of

International Trade committee  The agricultural sector is a very sticky issue in just about every country around the world, and that's what stalled progress at the multilateral level for year after year after year. We have to recognize that it is a difficult issue. It's not just difficult in Canada, but ultima

International Trade committee  I take your point. This is an important agreement, not only in its own right, but in terms of Canada's credibility, in terms of being able to negotiate new agreements with other partners, and in terms of being able to deliver when we reach an agreement, to ratify that. That's why

International Trade committee  On that point, I'm not going to presume to speak for the shipbuilding industry in terms of what specific measures are going to be most helpful in enabling them to go out and compete globally. But I will note that I know the industry has complained about the damage Canadian shipbu

International Trade committee  If I may, I think that's the point here. The Canada-EFTA agreement as it is now structured gives Canada all the room it needs to do whatever is necessary to trade on that level playing field. We're talking about a 15-year phase-out. There's no reduction of tariffs at all for the

International Trade committee  Coming back to your question, Canadian companies are exporting to the world, whether directly or indirectly. First, it's important to recognize that in strengthening our integration with American partners, we are not just selling goods and services to Americans; we are working

International Trade committee  Yes, I'll keep it short. I would simply note that when this committee studied this in the previous Parliament, it suggested that we should in fact move ahead with the agreement, but recommended that the government implement an aggressive maritime policy. I note that in the late

International Trade committee  Our work with the U.S. business--

International Trade committee  In any democracy there are going to be people on both sides.

International Trade committee  Where is the balance of opinion in the American business community? I'm confident that it was in opposition to the “buy American”.